Young black men who have sex with men answer an electronic survey to understand testing behaviors and determine awareness and use of HIV self-testing in North Carolina.

Summary of findings

3% (n=7/212) of participants were transgender women. 77% (n=164/212) were aware that HIVST was available; 17% (n=35/212) had ever purchased rapid (n=27) or dried blood spot-based kits (n=14). Participants aware of HIVST kits (n=164) had greater intention to test in the next 6 months (p=0.04); were more likely to consistently have sufficient income for basic necessities (p<0.001); more likely to ask sex partners about their HIV status (p=0.003); less likely to have a main sex partner (p=0.03) or to have ever had transactional sex (p=0.013). Among 142 participants at least somewhat likely to buy a self-test kit in the future, convenience (35%), privacy protection (23%); and rapid delivery of results (18%) were the most frequently cited motivations.

Acceptability

n/a

Acceptability details

Willingness to buy an HIVST in the future was reported by 142 participants and convenience (35%), privacy protection (23%), and rapid delivery of results (18%) were the most frequently cited motivations.